Everybody needs a friend

On Wednesday, I attended a JDRF Adult T1 Meet-Up coordinated jointly by two of the New Jersey chapters. I had been to a meet-up in New York City back in November, but I wasn’t quite sure what to expect out of this one. Curiosity and the opportunity to expand my social circle are what brought me there.

I’m glad they call it a “meet-up” and not a “support group”. I didn’t to make it seem like I’m going somewhere because I need help. Emotionally, I’m okay with my diabetes*. Physiologically, I’m confident in my ability to try new things and make it better (note that I said “my ability to try”, and not “my ability to make it better “. Some experiments work, some don’t, and some require such a lifestyle change that I won’t even try). [* I realize how incredibly fortunate I am for that. I wish everyone else with diabetes could be the same.]

It’s just me, and I’m pretty sure I’m in the minority here, but going to a “support group”, to me, suggests that I can’t do it on my own and I need help. After three decades with T1D, I’m confident that I kn0w-it-all, and while I’m happy to help others, there’s nothing that anybody can do for me (please try to suppress your hostile disagreements and read on). But I sure do welcome the companionship. And a “meet-up” is perfect for companionship.

Another hockey player (regrettably, I didn’t get to talk much to him about it either!);

Me; and

A woman who also has celiac, and brought a caring family member with her.

In contrast to the meeting I went to in NYC, this was small and intimate, and kind of nice. Though I’m awful with names, I did remember enough two days later to write the bullet-list you see above.

I enjoyed sharing stories and tips and offering suggestions. However, I’m concerned about how I may have been perceived. I sat there relaxed and comfortable, my left arm draped around the empty chair-back next to me. While others may have sought (and hopefully found) enlightenment or inspiration, I didn’t. Perhaps I looked a bit cocky — I sure hope not.

The most valuable piece of information I came out with was that Marshall’s sells this thing that you can clip somewhere (like a meter case) which beeps when you press a keychain remote (thank you, two brothers). By the way, I need that.

Driving home, I asked myself (as I inattentively drove right past my exit on the Turnpike): Am I that closed-minded to think that there’s nothing left for me to learn? Do I really believe that nobody else can say anything that will make me a better person and a better PWD?Am I that self-centered and stupid?

So I challenged myself to come up with ways that the diabetes community, and particular the online community, HAD made me a better person. It wasn’t hard.

I attempted (and succeeded) in using my arms for CGM sensor sites thanks to Kim, and in moving it from the side to the back of my arm thanks to Alecia.

I switched from Silhouette infusion sets to Sure-T’s thanks to Jess, and to use extra adhesive on the Sure-T site thanks to Sara.

I found that admitting to innermost, personal thoughts doesn’t make me less manly, thanks to Scott, Mike, Stephen, Scott, and others.

I began to use the SuperBolus, thanks to a whole bunch of people who first introduced the idea to me on TuDiabetes as well as the book Pumping Insulin, which I’d never read otherwise.

I understood the mechanics of a CGM, how to use it, and how to interpret its results thanks to a series of blog posts by Wil, as well as his book.

I developed the confidence to write, personally and openly, to the world.

I overcame my camera-shyness when, in an attempt to help others, I discovered that I Can Do This.

I found out how an NHL player wears his insulin pump during hockey games and how I can do the same, thanks to TuDiabetes.

I developed a tremendous confidence in displaying my diabetes to others, in behavior and preferences as well as in visible paraphernalia, thanks to pretty much everyone — but a special thanks to Alecia and Karen in the “visible paraphernalia” department.

Hey Scott! I love this post! Just wanted to say you did nothing wrong at the meet-up, nor did I perceive you as cocky :-) . And thanks to your previous post about temp basal to prevent a low helped me prevent one last night! I went to bed 107 with IOB and was afraid of being hypo unaware while I slept. I used temp basal to lower my rates and woohoo! Woke up 139 (a bit higher than before bed, but hey, no hypo throughout the night!) Thanks buddy. I really enjoyed meeting you in person!

Thanks Veronica! Sometimes I feel like I talk too much and listen too little, so this means a lot. And I’m glad the technique I used helped you! (Of course, the imaginary lawyers looking over my shoulder say to remind you that my anecdotes aren’t medical advice, because if I gave such advice and it didn’t work I could end up in a heap of trouble).

Scott: What a great post! Love how you not only describe the meetup itself, but also relate that back to how the D-Community (DOC and offline) has helped you. Like you, I’m also a fan of the “meetup” tag versus “support group,” and I’m also very impressed that this happened thanks to the support of 2 JDRF chapters working together. Something I think other chapters nationwide can learn from!! Oh, and THANK YOU for the mention, too!! Glad to have the honor of knowing you (if even online only at this time)!

Great insights Scott… now I just need you to get some CGM decorations and my work here is complete! Ha! I was never a big fan of the “support group” terminology either. Although I tend to feel I’m learning something new from a meet-up, sometimes what I learn is after doing this 3+ decades of diabetes, I really do know more than I give myself credit for and that is a pretty good lesson if you ask me.

GREAT post, Scott. And thanks for the shout out ;) I wish you were going to DC this weekend — some of us are going to the CWD Tech Conference and I am so looking forward to meeting some of my DOC friends in real life :) I love D meetups and they don’t happen nearly often enough!!!

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